Saugerties, NY- August 8- The final summer HITS-on-the-Hudson show in Saugerties, NY, was held this past August 3-7, and SBS Farms Inc. came away with six championships and three reserve championships. These wins gave many of the horses the title of circuit champion, which reflected the totaled points from all three summer shows.

In the professional divisions, SBS Farms trainer/rider Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY, had a fantastic last week in Saugerties. She rode Charming for Caroline Moran of Wellington, FL, to the Green Conformation championship by winning five out of six classes and placing second in the remaining class. Charming was also the Green Conformation Circuit Champion.

In the Second Year Green division, Alfano and Gandolf came away with the tricolor. They won four out of five classes and received a second place in the fifth class. Owned by Helen Lenahan of Buffalo, NY, Gandolf was also the Second Year Green Circuit Champion. "I think it's great to have the circuit awards here in Saugerties. Some of the horses' owners are able to come and watch and see them win," said Alfano.

Once & Again, owned by Meredith Bartolone of Buffalo, NY, was reserve champion in the Regular Working division. Once & Again, piloted by Alfano, garnered the red ribbon in four classes and won the under saddle class. His toughest competition was stablemate, Trebuchet, owned by Jonathan and Jeffrey Phillips of Potomac, MD. Trebuchet won three classes and was second and third in the remaining classes, giving them the championship for the week. These points gave Trebuchet the Reserve Championship for the circuit in the Regular Working Hunter division.

GG Valentine, owned by Barbara Kearney of Placerville, CO, was the Regular Working Hunter Circuit Champion with Jennifer Alfano. This week, GG was ridden by Kearney, who guided her to a win in the Farnam Adult Amateur 46 & Over Hunter division.

The Pre-Green Hunter division was once again dominated by the young and beautiful Good Company. Owned by SBS Farms of Buffalo, NY, and ridden by Alfano, he won three out of five classes this past week, which also gave him the title of Pre-Green Hunter Circuit Champion. "On horses like GG and Gandolf, it's nice to win awards like this because I know them so well and I know they can win. It's especially fulfilling on Good Company, because he is green. It's great to have up and coming horses like him and to have them win," Alfano commented. "They were all so good the whole time we were there. I'm lucky to have such a nice group of horses."

Charlotte Jacobs, of East Aurora, NY, had another fabulous week in Saugerties. She and Orchard Hill's Step Aside, owned by Kaitlyn Pryor McKee, were champions in the Pony Equitation division and reserve champions in the Schooling Pony Hunter division. Jacobs won two of the equitation classes and was fourth in the remaining two classes.

On Razzle Dazzle, owned by Deeridge Farms, Jacobs won the Pony Equitation Circuit Championship and the Medium Pony Hunter Circuit Championship. These are big wins for the ten year old rider and SBS Farms trainer, Susie Schoellkopf asserted, "She has come so far from last year and has become such a good rider." Alfano added, "It's great for Charlotte to have this boost before Pony Finals." Jacobs and Razzle Dazzle will compete this week at the USEF Pony Finals, August 10-13, in Lexington, KY.

In the Small Junior Hunter 15 & under division, By The Way, owned by SBS Farms, won three out of five classes and was second and third in the remaining classes. This gave the adorable bay gelding the championship for the week and the Small Junior 15 & Under Circuit Championship. By The Way is normally ridden by Kacey McCann of Palmyra, PA, but was piloted by Maria Schaub this week.

Schaub also got the ride on Trebuchet in the Large Junior 15 & Under division. The flashy chestnut won two classes and received a second place for the reserve championship. McCann also rode Trebuchet throughout the circuit, and won the Large Junior 15 & Under Circuit Championship.

Tell The Truth and Trish Bookbinder, of Cazenovia, NY, also came away with the Circuit Championship in the Farnam Adult Amateur 36-45 Hunter division.

Overall, it was a fantastic summer in Saugerties for the riders of SBS Farms, Inc. Trainer Susie Schoellkopf and the rest of the SBS Farms team are preparing for the 59th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS), to be held at their home base in the Buffalo Equestrian Center, on September 14-18. The show is USEF rated and will benefit the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.

The BIHS will feature a $2,000 Handy Hunter Classic and $1,500 Children/Adult Jumper Classic on Saturday evening. VIP seating in The Red Carpet Club and Box seats surrounding the indoor ring will also be available for the week. The show is a great prep for equestrians headed for the fall indoor circuit and zone finals.

For more information on SBS Farms and the Buffalo International Horse Show, please visit their website at: www.ryegate.com/BTRC/index.htm or email Sbeat@aol.com.